Folding work-table and lap-board.



No. 778,785. I PATENTED DEC. 27, 1904. G. J. BECKER.

FOLDING WORK TABLE AND LAP BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1903.

avwamtoz Charles J. Beckez:

UNTTED STATES Patented December 27, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. BECKER, OF MARIETTA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HIRMAN R. LACKEY, OF MARIETTA, OHIO.

FOLDING WORK-TABLE AND LAP-BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 778,? 35, dated December 27, 1904.

Application filed May 15,1903. Serial No. 157,310.

T0 (bi Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAnLns J. BECKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of il'larietta, in the county of lVashington and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding ork-Tables and Lap-Boards, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in folding work-tables and lap-boards, the object being to provide a light, simple, inexpensive, and efficient portable device of the character named for use in sewing-rooms, it being capable of being folded into small compass or being extended at a moments notice without interfering with the materials contained in the basket.

IVith the foregoing objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts,which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aview in perspective. Fig. 2 is a section, and Fig. 3 shows the table and lap-board folded.

A A represent the folding legs,they being arranged to cross each other and pivoted together by bolts or screws 1 1. Stretched across the top is the work-basket B, composed of cloth or other flexible material, and tacked or otherwise secured to the cross-bars 2 2, whereby it is held in position. The basket is preferably provided with pockets 3 3 at suitable points therein and about the edges, adapted to receive spools, buttons, and various other articles used with a sewing-basket. The outer edges of the basket thus formed may be secured to a binding-cord 5 and the ends of the latter secured to the screw-eyes or other fastening means 6 6.

Thelap-board C is hinged, as at 7 7, to one of the cross-bars 2, and an outwardly-folding brace 8, made in two sections, preferably hinged together, as at 9, is hinged at its upper end to the under side of the lap-board and at its lower end to a cross-brace 10.

hen it is desired to fold the table and lap board, the legs are simply folded together and the brace folded outward and the lap-board inward, as shown in Fig. 3, and when thus folded the article occupies but little space, so that it can be easily carried or set aside out of the way. To set it up, it is simply spread out and the brace is extended, as indicated in Fig. 2. Thus a lap-board is provided for the operator with a work-basket'attached and within easy reach, while at the same time its contents is out of the way, and when the table is folded up the basket is closed with its contents shut in, so as not to accidentally spill out.

The article thus constructed is simple, light, and can be made at small initial cost. At the same time it is most convenient and effectual in the performance of its functions.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As an article of manufacture, the combination of folding legs A, A, hinged together intermediate their ends, a cross-bar connecting two opposite legs and located intermediate the ends thereof, end cross-bars 2, 2 connecting the opposite legs also a folding leaf C hinged at its inner edge to one of the cross-bars 2, a folding brace hinged to the intermediate crossbar and to the leaf, respectively, the brace comprising a short member hinged to the intermediate cross-bar, a long member pivotally secured to the leaf and a hinge connecting the adjacent ends of the members, the hinge located upon the upper edges of the members to prevent the flexure of the brace in one direction, a basket of flexible material extending across and covering the space between the upper ends of the legs, the adjacent edges of the basket and leaf respectively, lying contiguous to each other to form .a continuation one of the other, and a binding-cord eX- specification in the presence of two subscribtending around the edges of the basket and ing wltnesses.

permanently secured to the upper ends of the w 1 s s w legs and to the cross-bars 2, 2, to prevent (JHARLIMS BECKER 5 strain from being placed on the material of Witnesses:

which the basket is formed. CHARLES A. LUDEY,

In testimony whereof I have signed this H. R. LACKEY. 

